Coronavirus: 4 Govs In Isolation As Kogi, Rivers Shut Borders

Following confirmed two new cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 46, Rivers and Kogi states have shut their borders to curtail the spread of the virus in their states.

Also, four governors, namely Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State and Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State have gone into isolation, while Governor Abdulahi Sule of Nassarawa State, said he would work from home.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers declared all state borders shut indefinitely, barring movement in and out of the state from today to guard against spread of the virus.

The governor in a state broadcast said his administration’s measures have become imperative after an alleged Port Harcourt-bound infected passenger was stopped from boarding a flight from Abuja.

Also, Kogi State yesterday announced closure of all entry points in and out of the state as part of efforts to contain the Coronavirus pandemic in the state. It also banned public gatherings above five persons.

Meanwhile, following his close contact with Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, who have both tested positive for coronavirus, Governor Obaseki has gone into self-isolation.

Also, Governor Fayemi of Ekiti has said there is no cause for alarm over his decision to self-isolate, just as Governor Sule of Nassarawa said he has decided to work from home.

Also, Governor Bello of Niger has embarked on self isolation. He took the decision based on the fact that as a public figure, he must have had contact with some confirmed contact cases of COVID-19.

This came as President Muhammadu Buhari, resumed work after isolating himself for about 24 hours as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit some staff of State House.

Meanwhile, the Presidency yesterday said that the result of President Buhari’s coronavirus test which proved negative calls for rejoicing.

The Presidency also said that the State House has not been shut down, but rather on partial lock-down as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, adding that socio-economic activities in the country are presently on a low.

Cases in Nigeria now 46

Nigeria yesterday confirmed two new cases of COVID-19, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 46, as the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi disclosed that over 2,000 persons are under supervised self-isolation.

The two new cases were reported in Lagos and in Osun States.

According to the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, both cases were returning travelers to Nigeria in the last seven days.

The cases which were reported as at 7a.m., on March 25, 2020, brought the number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to 46. Out of the 46, 43 are still active while two have been discharged with one death recorded.

NCDC also revealed that currently, Lagos has a total of 30 confirmed cases, Federal Capital Territory, FCT- 8, Ogun- 3, Ekiti- 1, Oyo- 1, Edo- 1, Bauchi-1 and Osun-1. As at yesterday, the disease has spread to eight states across Nigeria.

2,000 persons in supervised self-isolation

Also, speaking during a 35-minute webinar on “Nigeria COVID-19 Responses: Media Interaction” convened by Nigerian Health Advocates, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof Abayomi disclosed that over 2,000 contacts traced so far are being followed-up nationwide.

The Commissioner said: “If the person develops symptoms, samples will be taken from he or she for medical test and will be sent to Isolation One, for cases not confirmed. If the test comes out positive, the person will be sent to Isolation Two which is for confirmed cases.

“You do not need a test except you develop symptoms of COVID-19. There is need for people to limit contact, keep to social distancing, wash your hands regularly and also sanitize your hands.

“For those under isolation, that does not mean that you will not move around your home. You can but avoid doorknobs and surfaces; if you do develop symptoms, a test will be done.”

Noting that resources are limited, he added that the NCDC and Federal Ministry of Health, have fantastic collaboration and have been assisting Lagos as the epicentre of the outbreak in Nigeria.

On treatment of COVID-19 patients, the commissioner said they were using a combination of different drugs to manage the patients. “We use different types of drugs. The drugs do not kill the virus but slow it down. The drugs help boost immunity and that naturally kills the virus. The virus affects the lungs and causes shortness of breathing.”